Apparatus for handling ballast



Oct. 4, 1938. J. B. M WILLIAMS APPARATUS FOR HANDLING BALLAST Filed Jan. 22, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 4, 1938. J. B. McWlLLlAMS APPARATUS FOR HANDLING BALLAST Filed Jan. 22, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q Q INVENTOR vilzauu awfi My LL: m ALA Oct. 4, 1938. J. B. MGWILLIAMS APPARATUS FOR HANDLING BALLAST Filed Jan 22, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 J3-E; -o o 0 INVENTOR ZFZAM Oct. 4, 1938.' .1. B. M WILLIAM S 2,132,176

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING BALLAST Filed Jan. 22, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 F19. 6. I Fi 7..

Oct. 4, 1938. J. B. McWILLIAMS APPARATUS FOR HANDLING BALLAST Filed Jan. 22, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Patented 4, 1938 UNITED STATES 2,132,176 APPARATUS FOR HANDLING BALLAST James B.

to Railway burgh, Pa

Mcwilliams, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor Maintenance Corporation, Pittsa corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 22, 1936, Serial No. 60,259

11 Claims.

This invention relates broadly to an apparatus for handling ballast, being primarily concerned with the handling and treating of ballast lying between the ties of a railroad track.

It is standard practice in the maintenance of railroads to periodically remove, clean and replace the ballast. This operation was originally performed by hand, the ballast being handled by workmen using ordinary hand tools. Machines were later devised for picking up the ballast disposed outwardly beyond the ends of the ties and cleaning and returning such ballast, and machines have also been proposed for laterally displacing to a position beyond the ends of the ties ballast lying between the ties, such ballast thereafter being picked up and cleaned manually or otherwise.

The handling and cleaning of ballast disposed outwardly beyond the ends of the ties does not present a problem of any considerable difliculty inasmuch as such ballast may readily be picked up by means moving generally parallel to the track. However, an entirely different and very much more difficult problem is presented with respect to ballast lying between the ties. Such ballast obviously cannot be picked up by means moving generally parallel to the track, and on account of the relatively close spacing of the ties, their limited length and the fact that it is desirable that the machine be positioned gen erally above the track, and also due to the fact that the rails of the track impede access to the ballast therebetween and render the mechanical picking up of such ballast extremely diflicult, no satisfactory machine has heretofore been provided, so far as I am aware, for picking up, cleaning and returning the ballast between the ties, and especially that lying between the rails.

As above indicated, it has been proposed to laterally displace ballast lying between the ties of a railroad track so that such ballast is disposed beyond the ends of the ties where it can more easily'be picked up and cleaned. Although handling of the ballast in this manner is obviously undesirable, as it requires movement of some of the ballast through a relatively great distance and also requires a multiplicity of separate handlings of the ballast, no better way of cleaning and returning ballast lying between the ties of a railroad track has, so far as I am aware, heretofore been devised. Moreover, the mechanisms which have been proposed for laterally displacing the ballast have been of great complexity and high cost and hence commercially undesirable.

ballast between the ties of a railroad track with a minimum of separate handling steps and by I means of mechanism which is simple and inexpensive and at the same time strong and rugged and peculiarly adapted for the work. I provide for displacement generally parallel to the ties of material lying between adjacent ties by a single sweeping stroke of a displacing member mounted on a support adapted to be disposed above the track and the lower portion of which member extends down to a position between the ties. The displacing member is preferably in the form of a generally vertically extending unitary arm. Such arm is preferably pivoted to the supporting structure and positively operated, as, for example, by piston and cylinder means. I preferably provide two such arms, one for operation on approximately each lateral half of the road-bed. Each arm preferably has at its lower portion a transversely extending foot adapted to pass beneath one of the rails to positively push material generally parallel to the ties and beneath the rail.

In a. present preferred embodiment of my ap-. paratus I provide means for displacing material between the ties generally toward the center of the track and means for picking up the displaced material. The material is preferably picked up generally vertically and delivered to cleaning mechanism which cleans the ballast and returns the cleaned ballast between the ties and conveys away the cleanings.

For picking up the ballast I preferably utilize means having a transverse dimension less than the distance between adjacent ties so that such means may operate between the opposed faces of adjacent ties. I preferably utilize a bucket, such as a bucket of the well known clam shell type, and I also preferably provide mounting and operating means causing the bucket to operate in a peculiar manner and so as to pick up ballast between the ties over a comparatively large area and to a fairly even depth. .a

My improved mechanism may also be adapted for outward displacement of the ballast, if desired, and enables outward displacement to be accomplished in an extremely simple and effective manner quite different from the way in which it has heretofore been proposed to eilect such displacement. My machine is a practical, strong and rugged. comparatively inexpensive structure readily adapted for eilfective commercial use, which is not true of other structures heretofore provided for the lateral displacement of ballast which have come to my attention.

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of certain present preferred embodiments thereof and certain present preferred mehods of practicing the same proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown certain present preferred embodiments of the invention and have illustrated certain present preferred methods of practicing the same, in which Figure 1 is a side elevational view of ballast cleaning mechanism;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the mechanism shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the ballast cleaning mechanism when viewed from the left in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail view of a modified form of displacing member;

Figure 5 is a view of the displacing member shown in Figure 4 when viewed from the right;

Figure 6 is an end elevational view of a portion of a modified form of mechanism;

.. Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the.

mechanism shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an end elevational view of a modified form of displacing mechanism; and

Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the mechanism shown in Figure 8.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a railroad track designated generally by reference numeral 2 and which comprises cross ties 3 and rails 4. Operating on the track is a support in the form of a car 5 having flanged wheels 6 which operate on the rails 4. Although it is preferred that the support take the form of a car with flanged wheels operating on the rails of the track, it is not essential that the support take such form so long as it is movable along or generally parallel to the track. The support is preferably, although not necessarily, positioned above the track.

The car 5 is adapted to be advanced toward the left viewing Figure 1. Mounted at the front end thereof is an uprigh frame 1 in which is guided for vertically slidable movement a slide or mounting member 8. The slide 8 carries at its upper portion connecting members 9 having eyes It) through, which are passed the ends ll of steel cables l2. Each of the cables l2 passes upwardly and over sheaves i3 and I4, respectively, mounted on the top of the frame I and thence downwardly and beneath a sheave l5 carried by a piston rod Ilia connected with a piston which is vertically reciprocable in a cylinder I6 carried by the frame I opposite the slide 8. The opposite ends of the cables l2 are fastened to the frame at IT. The pistonin the cylinder i6 is operated by any suitable fluid controlled by a suitable valve, which may be of well known construction. The fluid connections to the cylinder it are not shown in the drawings.

The slide 8 is thus adapted to be raised and lowered in the frame I by operation of the piston in the cylinder IS. The slide may also be raised and lowered in the frame by various other appropriate means. The slide carries at its bottom oppositely disposed angles l8 adapted, when the slide is in its lowermost position, to rest on the tops of adjacent ties. When the mechanism carried by the slide 8 is to be used the slide is lowered to its lowermost position with the angles l8 resting on adjacent ties as shown in full lines in Figure 1.

The slide 8 carries oppositely disposed brackets l9 to each of which is pivoted at 20 for movement in a generally vertical plane substantially at right angles to the track material displacing means in the form of a unitary rigid arm 2| adapted, when the slide 8 is in its lowermost position, to extend down between the ties. Each of the arms 2| is operated through a piston rod 22 pivotally connected at 23 with the upper extremity oi the arm and connected with a piston operating in a cylinder 24 pivotally connected with the top of the slide 8 at 25. The piston is operated by a suitable source of fluid pressure (not shown) provided with a control valve of usual type.

Each of the arms 2| has formed integral therewith at its lower extremity an inwardly projecting foot 26 having its inner end formed to push material ahead of it when moved inwardly toward the center of the track. The inner end of the foot 26 comprises an upper inwardly projecting material confining portion 21 and a generally downwardly and inwardly extending material digging and displacing portion 28, which portions 21 and 28 form between them a pocket 23. The arm is suitably flanged as at 30 to give it the desired strength and rigidity.

Mounted on the slide 8 is a cylinder 3| having intermediate its ends a division wall 32 which in effect divides the cylinder 3| into two separate cylinders 33 and 34. A piston 35 operates in the cylinder 33 and a pison 36 operates in the cylinder 34. Fluid pressure is provided for the cylinders 33 and 34 from any suitable source (not shown) and is controlled by:valves-of the usual type. A piston rod 31- is connected with the piston 36 and has its end pivotally connected at 38 with the opposite halves or sections-39 of a clam shell bucket designated generally by reference numeral 40. A piston rod 4| is connected with the piston 35 and has rigidly connected thereto at its upper extremity as at 42 a crosspiece 43. Pivo ally connected to the crosspiece 43 at each side of the piston rod 4| at 44 is a link 45 the lower end of which is pivotally connectedto one of the bucket sections 39 at 46.

Pivoted to the frame I at 41 is a hopper 48 which is normally disposed in the position shown:

in full lines in Figure 1. Connected with the upper end of the hopper is an arm 49, which,

when the slide 8 is raised from its lowermost -to its uppermost position, is engaged by a portion 50 of the slide whereby the hopper is moved to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure l. The hopper discharges onto a cleaning screen 5| shown as for cleaning rock ballast, although the particular screen or other cleaning mechanism employed is selected so as to be suitable for the type of ballast being treated. The screen 5| is inclined downwardly and may, if desired, be agitated, as well known in the art. The cleanings passing through the screen fall on an endless conveyor 52 operating in the direction of the arrow 53. The conveyor 52 may be driven through connections 54 by a shaft 55 rotated by any suitable source of power. The conveyor 52 discharges onto a conveyor 56 operating in the direction of the arrow 51 and which is driven by a motor 58 through suitable connections. The opposite end of the conveyor 56 may be positioned above a car for receiving the cleanings.

The cleaned ballast moves downwardly from the screen onto a split trough 59, the respective arms of which discharge into split troughs 60 each having arms 6| which discharge the cleaned ballast back onto the road-bed.

The car 5 may be moved upon the track by means of connections 62 from a driven shaft 63 rotated by any suitable source of power, as, for example, a motor disposed within a housing 64. A scraper 55 projects downwardly from the under side of the car to assist in levelling the cleaned and returned ballast.

The operation of the machine shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 will now be described. The car 5-is advanced to a position in which the slide 3 is above the center of an opening between adjacent ties. The slide is then lowered into its lowermost position as shown in Figure l, with the angles i8 resting upon the tops of the adjacent ties. When the slide is lowered the arms 2! and bucket 40 are in the positions shown in full lines in Figure 3. The pistons in the cylinders 26 are then operated to move the arms M from their full-line positions to their dotted-line positions. This results in inward displacement of the material between adjacent ties in a direction substantially parallel to the ties and toward the center of the track. The feet 26 at the lower extremities of the arms 26 move under the rails so that by a single sweeping inward movement of the lower portion of each of the arms 2i the mate rial at one side of the track is displaced from its original position inwardly toward and adjacent the center of the track. Both arms 2! may be operated simultaneously or the arms may be operated separately. If the desired amount of material is not moved inwardly to the desired point upon the first operation of an arm the operation may be repeated until the desired result is obtained.

After the material has been inwardly displaced as above described by the arms 2| such arms are raised to their inoperative positions (these being the positions shown in full lines in Figure 3) and the clam shell bucket Ml is then operated to pick up the material displaced toward the center of the track by the arms. In operation of the clam shell bucket the piston 35 is first lowered slightly to move the points of the bucket sections downwardly, whereupon the piston 36 is moved up wardly, causing the points of the bucket sections to move inwardly, the motions being so correlated that the bucket picks up material over a substantial area and to a fairly even depth. In other words, the excavation made by the bucket is comparatively flat-bottomed due to the peculiar manner of operation of the bucket. The transverse dimension of the bucket parallel to the axis of the pivot 38 is less than the distance between adjacent ties so that the bucket can operate in the space between the ties.

The bucket 40 when in closed position is shown in dotted lines in Figure 3. Withthe bucket in such position containing material previously inwardly displaced by the arms H the slide 8 is raised from its lowermost to its uppermost position, and as the slide reaches its uppermost position the portion 50 strikes the arm 49 on the hopper 48, moving the hopper from the fullline position to the dotted-line position in Figure 1, whereupon the contents of the bucket are discharged into the hopper and thence onto the screen 5!. As above explained, the screenings or cleanings fall onto a conveyor 52 from which they are delivered to a conveyor 56 and thence into a car or other receptacle; or the cleanings may be conveyed laterally and deposited at the side of the track. The cleaned ballast passes down through the split troughs 59 and 60 and onto the road-bed. The scraper 65 scrapes the cleaned ballast off of the tops of the ties and assists in levelling it in the spaces between the ties.

The bucket is left in its open position after discharging its contents into the hopper 48. The

car is then moved forward, or toward the left viewing Figure 1, until the slide 8 is centered above the next crib or space between adjacent ties, when the slide is lowered and the cycle of operations just described repeated.

In Figures 4 and 5 there is shown an attachment 66 which comprises a pair of paddle-like members bl pivoted to the flange 58 of an arm 69 generally similar to the arms N of the form shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. Stop members it are provided on the flange 63, one on each side thereof. As the arm 59 moves in the operative direction, or toward the left viewing Figure 4, the members bl trail over the ballast as shown in the full-line position in such figure. When the arm is moved in the reverse direction the members til dig down into the ballast and assume the position shown in chain lines in Figure 4, thus displacing upon the backward movement of the arm ballast which is not displaced upon the forward movement thereof. This provision enables removal of the ballast at the lower outside corners of the ties which might otherwise be missed by the arms.

7 In Figure 4 the foot ll of the arm 69 is shown as being provided with a detachable end or digging member M which is connected with the foot at 13. The member l2 may be made of special steel, and, as this is the part subject to the greatest wear, it may be removed and replaced when desirable.

In Figures 6 and '7 there is shown a modified form of bucket for use in an apparatus of the character described. There is shown a vertically extending frame M in which is mounted for ver tically slidable movement a slide 15 with which are connected steel cables it through which the slide may be operated. Pivoted to the slide '55 at IT is a pair of cylinders it each having a piston with which is connected a piston rod E9 the lower end of which is pivoted at ill] to a section 8i of a bucket generally similar to the bucket above described. The respective sections ill -of the bucket are pivoted together at 82. Connected with the slide is a bracket 83 having a vertical slot 84 for reception of the pivot 82. Pivoted to the slide 15 at 55 is a pair of links 86 each having at its lower extremity a generally vertically extending slot 81 within which operates a bolt or pin member 88 connected with the bucket section at the side of the device corresponding with the link.

When the slide i5 is lowered into operative position with its angles 89resting on the tops of adjacent ties the bucket is in the open position shown in solid lines in Figure 6. It is to be understood that material displacing means as above described in connection with the form of Figures 1, 2 and 3 may be used in conjunction with the bucket. When the bucket is to be operated the piston rods 19 are moved downwardly. During the first part of the movement of such rods the bucket sections pivot about the pivot 82 in usual manner. However, during this pivotal movement of the bucket sections the pins or bolts 88 are moving toward the bottoms of the slots 81 in the links 86, and when such pins or bolts reach the bottoms of such slots (the links meanwhile pivoting about the axes of the pivots 85, as indicated in chain lines in Figure 6), each of the bucket sections will individually pivot about the pin or bolt 88 connected therewith, the pivot 82 moving upwardly in the slot 84. The effect thus produced is similar to the effect explained above in connection with the bucket shown in Figure 3, although the form of excavation is somewhat different, as will appear by comparison of the chain lines at the bottoms of Figures 3 and 6. The effect common to both forms, however, is that material is picked up over a substantial area between the ties and to a fairly uniform depth. The excavation is comparatively shallow at the center for its width.

Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, there is shown in such figures a modified form of displacing mechanism. A car 90 is shown as mounted upon a track 9| and carries a superstructure 92. Such superstructure has an outwardly projecting portion 93 to which are connected a pair of generally parallel cross beams 94. To each of the cross beams 94 there is connected at one end a bracket 95 and at the other end a bracket 96, the bracket 95 on one of the cross beams being at one side of the apparatus and the bracket 95 on the other of the cross beams being at the opposite side.

Pivoted to each of the brackets 85 at 91 is an arm 98 having a foot 99. Plvoted to each of the brackets 96 at I00 is a cylinder MI in which operates a piston having connected therewith a piston rod I02 pivoted to the corresponding arm 98 at I03. The arms and the operating mechanism therefor as just described are so designed and constructed that each operates outwardly from approximately the center of the track, displacing outwardly material disposed between adjacent ties, as indicated in Figure 8. Each of the feet 99 moves under one of the rails to outwardly displace material thereunder, such foot clearing the opposite rail when the arm to which it is connected is raised.

On account of the fact that the respective arms 98 would interfere with each other if positioned in the same transverse plane they are oilset longitudinally of the track. The amount of I offset is shown as being less than the longitudinal distance between the centers of the spaces between adjacent ties, but if desired the arms may be spaced so as to enable them to operate simultaneously in adjacent cribs. In any event, one arm operates first on a particular crib, after which the car is moved to position the other arm above such crib, whereupon such arm operates thereon. The apparatus shown in Figures 8 and 9 is extremely simple and foolproof and at the same time strong and efl'ective and outwardly displaces the ballast very rapidly and efllciently. The ballast thus outwardly displaced may be cleaned and replaced by any suitable means.

While I have shown and described certain present preferred embodiments of the invention and have illustrated certain present preferred methods of practicing the same. it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a support movable along a railroad track, means carried by the support and movable generally transversely of the track to displace material between the ties to a predetermined position removed from the original position of such material and in which predetermined position such material may be readily picked up, and means also carried by the support for picking up between the rails the displaced material.

2. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a support movable along a railroad track, means carried by the support for picking up material between the ties, and means also carried by the support and movable generally transversely of the track to displace material between the ties laterally of said first mentioned means.

3. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a support movable along a railroad track, means carried by the support and movable generally transversely of the track to displace material between the ties toward the center of the track, and means also carried by the support for picking up the displaced material.

4. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a support movable along a railroad track, means carried by the support and movable generally transversely of the track to displace material between the ties to a position between the rails of the track, and means also carried by the support for picking up the displaced material. between the rails.

5. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a support movable along a railroad track, means carried by the support and movable generally transversely of the track to displace material between the ties toward the center of the track from both sides thereof, and means also carried by the support for picking up the displaced material.

6. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a support movable along a railroad track, a generally vertically movable mounting member carried by the support, material displacing means mounted on the mounting member and movable generally transversely of the track to displace material between the ties and beneath the rails toward the center of the track from both sides thereof, and means also. mounted on the mounting member for picking up material displaced by the material displacing means.

7. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a support movable along a railroad track, means carried by the support and movable generally transversely of the track to displace material between the ties, generally vertically movable means also carried by the support for picking up between the ties material displaced by the material displacing means, and means disposed at an elevation above that of the track for receiving the material picked up by said generally vertically movable means.

8. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a support movable along a railroad track, means mounted on said support above the level of the track and the lower portion of which extends down to a position between the ties, means for moving said first mentioned means generally transversely of the track to displace material between the ties, and supplemental material displacing means carried by said first mentioned means and operable upon the withdrawing movement of said first mentioned means.

9. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a support movable along a railroad track, means mounted on said support above the level of the track and the lower portion of which extends down to a position between the ties, means for moving said first mentioned means generally transversely of the track to displace material between the ties, and supplemental material displacing means pivoted to the lower portion of said first mentioned means and swingable downwardly relatively thereto into operative position upon the withdrawing movement of said first mentioned means.

10. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a support movable along a railroad track,

means carried by the support and movable gen erally transversely of the track to displace generally towards the center of the track from both sides material between the ties and slightly beyond the ends of the ties, and means also carried by the support for picking up the displaced material.

11. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a support movable along a railroad track, means carried by the support and movable generally transversely of the track to displace material between the ties and slightly beyond the ends of the ties to a position between the rails of the track, and means also carried by the support for picking up the displaced material between the rails. JAMES B. MCWIILIAMS. 

